(585) Kids Winter 2023

When I moved to the Rochester area in 2001 I was not equipped for the winter weather. Before I arrived here I only lived in California, Virginia, and Arkansas. I was in for a huge, eye-opening shock. I grew up almost never having to wear a real winter coat. And I never even owned a hat. This is not an exaggeration, friends.

I was SOFT.

That first winter here was rough. I had a tiny baby, few friends, and a serious lack of winter gear. But as that baby grew into a toddler and another kiddo came along, I knew I had to snap out of my I-hate-the-snow funk. I slowly came to embrace cozy snow days where we lounged in jammies all day. I learned how to properly dress a toddler for playing in the cold. I let the

kids guide our indoor games when we just couldn’t get outside because of the weather.

I only wish I had some of the great tips and activities that this issue offers to both kids and parents as the hardest part of the winter season sets in. In these pages you’ll learn about ways to embrace the chilly days at home. There are also some wonderful suggestions for places to go when the temperature outside is just too much to bear.

I have several hats now, but I avoid wearing one unless I truly can’t avoid it. And ask anyone at the (585) office—I avoid wearing a coat at all costs. But my kids (now eighteen and twenty-one) are true 585ers and dutifully wear their coats and hats and love a good snow day!

FEEDBACK

We’d love to hear what you think! Write to jmilliman@585kids.com or letters to the editor, (585) Kids, 1501 East Avenue, STE201, Rochester, NY 14610.

Caroline Kunze Staff

Tomas Flint, Michael Hanlon Contributing Writers Chloe Adour, Emily DiCesare, Daniel Curry, Terri Ercole, Audrey Mead, Sarah Mead, Cathy Monrad, Anna Overmoyer, Jinelle Vaiana, Deena Viviani

Editorial Interns Chloe Adour, Daniel Curry, Hanna Smith

Vice President, Sales Caroline Kunze Sales & Marketing Michaela Neer

DEADLINES FOR LISTINGS

Calendar listing deadlines for our upcoming issues are as follows:

For Spring 2023 issue: Feb. 10

For Summer 2023 issue: May 10 For Fall 2023 issue: Aug. 10 For Winter 2024 issue: Nov. 10

ADVERTISING

If you’d like to learn about advertising in an upcoming issue of (585) Kids or on our website, please call (585) 413-0040. PLEASE RECYCLE

—Christine Green, Managing Editor

Chloe Adour is a journalism major at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Emily DiCesare is an E.R. doc by trade, salad blogger by passion, who lives in Brighton with her family.

Daniel Curry is a writer and recent gradutate of SUNY Brockport with a degree in journalism.

Terri Ercole is an elementary school teacher and volunteer with the Center for Youth in Rochester.

Audrey Mead is a curious fifth grader with a passion for reading. She loves Legos, performing in musicals, and writing stories.

Sarah Mead is a writer who loves children’s books and dance parties in the kitchen. She lives with her family in Victor.

Anna Overmoyer a traditional and dimensional illustrator who grew up in the forest of Upstate New York. anna-overmoyer.square. site.

Cathy Monrad, a.k.a Crafty Cat lives with her family in Webster. Cathy is the resident crafter for UpstateGardeners' Journalas well.

Jinelle Vaiana is a freelance writer and copy editor, and a selfproclaimed “word nerd.” She’s been writing for local publications for more than ten years, and she’s also a nonprofit board member and talent acquisition professional. Reach her at jvaiana@585mag.com.

Deena Viviani is the young adult services librarian at Brighton Memorial Library.

Anna Overmoyer

BY

ONGOING STORY TIME

Every Tuesday the Rochester Public Library will host story time for children five and under from 11 to 11:45 a.m. with Mr. Mark. Mr. Mark will engage kids by reading, singing, and helping them develop lifelong skills. 11:00–1:45 a.m.

Maplewood Community Library 1111 Dewey Ave. 428-8220 (libraryweb.org)

NATURE SUNDAY EXPERIENCE

Throughout January and February the Genesee Country Village & Museum Nature Center building and surrounding trails will be open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the nature trails, see wildlife in the snow, and more! Plus, every Sunday visitors can enjoy sledding on the Great Meadow, walks in the Historic Village (please note, paths may be slippery, and buildings will not be open), snowshoeing in the wintery woods, crosscountry skiing, and other outdoor sports. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Genesee Country Village & Museum 1410 Flint Hill Rd., Mumford 538-6822 (gvc.org)

THE RINK AT THE LAKE

Visit The Lake House on Canandaigua and skate on its “Magic Ice” until the end of March. Skating on this rink feels just like skating on the lake! Tickets are $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Ages twelve and up.

Thursday & Friday, 4 p.m.–8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, noon–8 p.m. The Lake House on Canandaigua 770 South Main St., Canandaigua (800) 228-2801 (lakehousecanandaigua.com)

FEBRUARY 3

YOUTH EXPLORERS

The perfect opportunity to have your kids experience rock climbing for the first time! This one-hour program is focused on getting the kids climbing and having fun. Drop them off or stay and watch—either way, trained staff will be there to supervise and keep the fun going. They provide all of the belaying and equipment necessary; students just bring enthusiasm be get ready to climb!

6:30–7:30 p.m. RocVentures Climbing Gym 1044 University Ave. 442-5462 (rocventuresclimbing.com)

FEBRUARY 17

THE LITTLE MERMAID OFC (Opportunities For Creativity) Creations is putting on its performance of the Disney's The Little Mermaid. This family favorite includes music by eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater. This fishy fable will capture your heart with its irresistible classics such as “Under the Sea."

Performances February 17 at 7 p.m.; February 18 at 3 p.m.; February 18 at 7 p.m.; and February 19 at 3 p.m. OFC Creations Theatre Center 3450 Winton Pl. 667-0954 (ofccreations.com)

MARCH 11

ROCHESTER ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

The day will be jam packed with funfilled activities including the parade, food,

and local vendors. The whole family is welcome to join the festivities. Pay mind to wear your green or else face the fury of the leprechauns. The Parade begins at 12:30 p.m. East Ave. and Alexander St. heading towards Main St. From there, it continues west on Main St. until it ends at the corner of Fitzhugh St. 12:30 p.m. at East Ave. and Alexander St. (rochesterparade.com)

MARCH 18

MAPLE SUGAR DAYS

Gather family and friends to enjoy an outdoor exploration of the history of maple sugaring in New York State. Start your adventure at the sugarhouse then journey to the nineteenth century to see the techniques and tools that early settlers used to collect sap and make maple sugar. Through March 26 Genesee Country Village & Museum 1410 Flint Hill Rd. 538-6822 (gvc.org)

MARCH 27

PETE THE CAT’S BIG HOLLYWOOD ADVENTURE

Lights! Camera! Action! When Pete the Cat and his buddy Callie sneak into Hollywood Studios, they get lost in the world of the movies. Join Pete, Callie, Ethel the apatosaurus, and Robo-Pete in this rockin’ new musical adventure that highlights several fun-filled Pete the Cat books including Cavecat Pete, Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map, and The Cool Cat Boogie

10 a.m.

Smith Opera House 82 Seneca St. Geneva (315) 781-5483 (thesmith.org)

Pete The Cat’s Big Hollywood Adventure

Youth Explorers

The Rink at the Lake

PAW PATROL LIVE!

Chase, Marshall, Liberty, and the rest of the PAW Patrol gang will visit Blue Cross Arena for two nights on February 21 and 22. For those unfamiliar, this group of rescue pups, led by ten-year-old boy Ryder who adopted and trained them, work together to keep their community safe. In Paw Patrol Live! “Heroes Unite,” the mayor has stolen Ryder’s robot dog and cloned it. The pups are on a mission to save RoboDog and catch the clones!

This is an interactive live show where audience members are encouraged to help the cast solve puzzles, as well as sing along to musical numbers, dance, clap, and have a great time. For the past six years, the PAW Patrol Live! stage shows have been seen by more than 4 million fans in more than forty countries.

Tickets start at $20 and are available at the box office or on ticketmaster.com. All audience members over twelve months old will need a ticket. The Very Important Pup Package features an opportunity to meet and take photos with two characters, as well as premium show seating. pawpatrollive.com

WONDERS OF WATER

What better way to learn than through immersion? With the Rochester Museum & Science Center’s new permanent exhibit, Wonders of Water, visitors will feel submerged as they enter the exhibition and learn about the waters of our region.

This exciting exhibit features an illuminated Luckey Climber, a climbing structure that illustrates the water temperature of Lake Ontario at various depths.

Visitors can learn about life on the USS Scourge, a warship that sank in the lake in 1813, and manipulate a Remotely Operated Vehicle to investigate the HMS Ontario shipwreck of 1780. In the second half of the exhibit, visitors resurface to explore the wetlands, build a spray park, and more.

“This exhibit educates people of all ages in the community on the importance of preserving and respecting water as a resource, in a fun, immersive way! Further evolving the historical function of a museum, Wonders of Water highlights the cultural significance of water to all

people, past and present, and amplifies diverse voices from our community to be heard by a larger Rochester and visitor audience,” says Kira Sandoval, RMSC Communications Coordinator.

Access to Wonders of Water is included in general admission to the museum. rmsc.org/exhibits/wonders-of-water

JURASSIC QUEST

Another interactive experience for the whole family, Jurassic Quest at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center is a self-guided event that brings dinosaurs to life February 24–26!

Billed as featuring “more true-to-lifesize dinosaurs than any other touring dinosaur event,” you may need one to two hours to experience all this event has to offer. Kids will love the animatronic dinosaur rides—some walking and some stationary—as well as the craft area, bungee pull, and bounce houses including some bounce areas designated specifically for small children.

Visitors can also dig for fossils, meet baby dinos, and discover ancient oceans. This is a timed-entry event, so tickets are available for specific days and timeslots online at jurassicquest.com. Tickets range

from $19-36, and all guests two years and older will require a ticket. j urassicquest.com

BLUEY’S BIG PLAY

All Dad wants is a bit of a snooze on a lazy Sunday afternoon, but Bluey— everyone’s favorite Australian puppy—is determined to get him off the couch! Join Bluey, her sister Bingo, and the rest of the family March 10 and 11 at the Auditorium Theatre for Bluey’s Big Play. This stage adaptation of the Emmy Award–winning TV show features life-size puppets to tell this original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm.

In case you haven’t met her: Bluey is a loveable six-year-old pup with tons of energy and a passion for inventing games, which find her and her friends in all kinds of unpredictable situations. Surely, she will use this creativity in her quest to pull Dad into the fun.

Everyone who enters the theatre must have a ticket, regardless of age, and tickets start at $29. VIP Packages are also available and include a meet-and-greet photo opportunity, a VIP lanyard, and a VIP gift. Runtime is fifty minutes events.bluey.tv

Beat the winter blahs

Tips for making the most of indoor family time

BY SARAH MEAD

Rochester winters can be dreary, dark, and colder than cold. There comes a point every winter where I start browsing real estate in warmer parts of the country. We find ourselves daydreaming about tropical vacations and long summer days. When the monotony of the cold months starts to affect your mood and patience, try changing things up with one of these boredom busters:

Dance party. When schools were closed and school dances were canceled, we cleared all the furniture out of the living room and threw a formal dance for ourselves. Now we keep the room empty and dance often. Let the kids make a playlist, get dressed up, and bake refreshments together. Break out the Just Dance video game or bust out your karaoke skills. For extra credit, challenge the whole family to learn a new dance routine together by practicing with a music video.

Fly around the world. When my children were remote learners for eighteen months, our favorite thing to do was choose a new country each week.

We made our own passports and stamped them when the week was complete. We “traveled” by reading travel books, watching travel videos, and learning about how holidays are celebrated there. We read picture books about the people or animals from each country and loved learning how to say a few common phrases in a new language.

Revisit your childhood. Bring out items that were special to you. Go through the old photos and videos. Choose a few children’s books that you loved the most. Reread them with your children and enjoy the stories all over again through their eyes. My favorites: Charlotte’s Web, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, Ramona Quimby series, Because of Winn Dixie, and The Paper Bag Princess.

Hold a baking competition. We were introduced to the TV show Nailed It on Netflix and we had so much fun holding baking competitions over zoom with our friends and family. If you’ve seen it, you know that the fun lies in comparing the perfectly decorated baked good to your own poor attempt to recreate it. Choose

a recipe, gather your materials, and get baking! Don’t forget a shiny hat for the winner.

Make plans. I love looking at lake rentals and planning out a vacation week. Even though I know we won’t be enjoying it until the summer, it gives me a lift to think about it now. Take out travel books from the library and plan a week in Europe or a month in Africa. Even if you never end up going, the planning part can be fun!

Rearrange a room. There is nothing like changing up your living space to boost your mood. You don’t even have to spend any money. I like to take every single thing out of a room and put it all back in different spaces, purging any clutter. Organizing a room always makes me feel better and we usually end up with several bags of items to donate. My kids love changing up their bedrooms!

Book club. We found three other couples that love to read. We take turns choosing the book and hosting it at our houses. Even better, now that all of our children are getting older, they have started their

own book club. The host makes a special dinner for everyone, and the kids talk about their book while we talk about ours. It’s the best!

Game day! Pick out a new board game and play it with the kids. Have an indoor snowball fight with paper or cotton balls. Hold a Minute to Win It competition. Just Games in Penfield has many board games available to rent. Try: Dominion, Pandemic Legacy, Scotland Yard, or Telestrations.

Get crafty! Give yourself permission to learn a new hobby. Drag all the paint, brushes, and canvases out and let the kids create. Do it with them. Collect rocks, paint them, and leave them around the neighborhood. Perler beads are fun and can take all afternoon! Write a letter on pretty stationery and send it to someone via snail mail.

Take it one day at a time. And remember, spring is right around the corner. I promise.

Cabin fever escapes

These local picks are sure to help remedy any restlessness

BY DANIEL CURRY

One of the best parts of the winter is saying “let it snow” and hunkering down within the coziness of your home. However, after a while, it’s easy to go a little stir-crazy. We put together a list of some local escapes that will help you get out of the house and enjoy what Rochester has to offer during the winter.

OFC Creations ofccreations.com

Focusing on giving kids of all ages the opportunity to perform, OFC Creations has an entire lineup of shows for kids to participate and perform in.

Seneca Park Zoo senecaparkzoo.org

The Seneca Park Zoo offers multiple programs for kids throughout the winter, including their Discover Zoo Class where kids can learn about animals through the wonders of the Zoo!

Dick’s House of Sport dickssportinggoods.com/s/victor-schedule-events-services

Located in Victor, Dick’s House of Sport hosts events such as open ice skating and rock climbing all winter long.

Rochester Museum and Science Center rmsc.org

The RMSC currently has several of exciting exhibits open throughout the winter that spark curiosity in science, culture, and history.

Strong National Museum of Play museumofplay.org

In addition to all of its exhibits, the Strong also has an all-new high ropes course—Skyline Climb. Both kids and adults can traverse beams and balance obstacles, maneuver ropes and wobbly bridges, and leap off a zipline platform.

Volunteers meet the needs of local children

BY SARAH MEAD

hen you enter The Spot, you’ll find a row of winter coats and backpacks along with shelves of brandnew sneakers, snow boots, and water bottles. You’ll find food, personal hygiene products, and clothing items at any of The Spot’s locations. A team of volunteers fills requests and keeps the spaces stocked, serving more than 2,500 local students year-round. Executive director Sarah Chilson says, “Everybody can do something. The Spot gives people a quick and easy way to do something.”

After starting a family, she wondered how she could use what few hours she had to spare during the day to help others. “I wanted to do something with a purpose. I had to make my own meaningful opportunity,” Chilson remembers.

She contacted her son’s school to ask what needs she could meet and was told that the nurse’s office could always use socks and underwear. This led to an Amazon wish list which resulted in two truckloads of items being delivered to the school.

A school social worker brought Chilson in to look at a closet, asking her how she felt about a full-time project and giving her the idea to raise funds for school supplies. Sarah came up with a name and a logo, and that “project” has turned into a space called

The Spot at every school building from PreK to twelfth grade in Canandaigua.

With the help of many volunteers, she started a back-to-school event to provide school supplies for children in her district. They were able to help 120 children that year. Next summer will mark the seventh annual back-to-school event in Canandaigua.

Children in the older grades know they can go in and get what they need, whether it’s toothpaste, menstrual hygiene products, or new shoes. Younger kids are identified by teachers and social workers. Anyone can submit a request online. With the high cost of groceries and the elimination of free school lunches for millions of children, many local families are struggling.

When Principal Heidi Robb left Canandaigua to accept a position in the Victor district, she wanted to bring The Spot with her. She paired Chilson up with Jessica Balduzzi, an active member of the Victor PTSA who was looking for a way to give back to the schools. Heidi shares, “I’ve had the unique privilege of seeing firsthand the impact The Spot has on students in Canandaigua and Victor. The generosity of our communities coupled with the incredible work of volunteers led by Sarah and Jessica, allow all students in Victor and Canandaigua Schools to

Photo by Christopher Mead

Sarah Chilson and Jessica Balduzzi

have their basic needs met.”

Balduzzi says, “These are our neighbors. My kids’ teammates. It hits close to home.” She has implemented The Spot at every PreK through sixth grade building in Victor and is actively working on creating a space at the junior and senior high school. “The Spot’s expansion to Victor helps create an environment where every child has what they need to succeed in school, and in turn, benefits our entire community.” Balduzzi goes on to say she would not have been able to do it without local volunteers who were quick to jump right in.

Emily Philips, a Canandaigua music teacher, talks about how Chilson and her team built up a giant collection of concert clothes for kids. “They have dresses, pants, skirts, button-down shirts, ties, shoes, you name it. Boxes and boxes. We would give them a list of our concert dates, and a team of Spot volunteers would help all the kids who didn’t have concert clothes find something they liked. It was amazing to watch. Kids were walking out with huge smiles on their faces, because they looked fantastic—and they knew it. It’s such a little thing, but it’s the perfect example of the true depth of her program. Sarah is someone who sweats the details in the best possible way. When she says she wants every child to have what they need to succeed, she means it!”

The Spot now has a board of directors and is a full nonprofit organization. Chilson’s focus is on the mental health of her volunteers. She emphasizes that family comes first and encourages her team to set hours (two times a week or month), and she gives them tasks that will fit that time frame. Volunteers might come in once a year to help with the back-to-school event or once a month to stock shelves in the school spaces. Chilson says, “We always need people to help spread the word. That is a huge gift. Not everyone can donate their time, but they could be sharing with someone who could help in a bigger way.”

The Spot relies on recurring payments from individual donors as well as local businesses. Sarah is also actively looking for other opportunities such as grants. The greatest need is financial support as the program needs to raise upwards of $60,000 this year to fund program needs for children in crisis situations.

Chilson would love to see The Spot expand to all local school districts and has the resources to train anyone interested in stepping up to the plate to run a leadership team in their district. She says, “Watching the news can be difficult. It’s hard to know what you can do to improve things. With The Spot, it is an easy way to make a difference locally right away.”

Want to donate or join the team? Visit thespotny.org.

Everybody can do something. The Spot gives people a quick and easy way to do something.

Brinner time

Breakfast for dinner is always a hit

BY EMILY DICESARE

In the hustle and bustle of life, planning and preparing dinner often gets pushed to the back burner (pun intended). Perhaps the thought of fighting traffic and lines at the grocery store after a busy day of work and running errands feels impossible.

Cold, dark nights have many craving warm comforting meals, but there often isn’t time to prepare them. Many of these meals are rich and salty. At a time of year when one can’t pick fresh veggies out of the garden or stop at a farm stand on the way home, I often find myself craving something light and fresh. Breakfast for dinner is a simple way to satisfy those cravings.

Below are several ideas for “brinner.” These ideas are savory, though of course, you can never go wrong with a big stack of pancakes and a fruit salad.

Quiche and a simple salad are easy and can be made ahead and the quiche baked later or reheated. Store-bought pie crusts can be kept in the freezer and pulled out when needed. Thinly sliced potatoes can be used instead of a pastry crust. I prefer a crustless quiche and find that it is better leftover. A dozen eggs, some shredded cheese, and a bag of frozen broccoli turns into a warm, homemade dinner that’s on the table in under an hour. Pair with a simple salad of butter lettuce or mixed greens tossed

with a vinaigrette dressing and some freshly shaved parmesan cheese and dinner is done. A savory citrus salad is also one of my favorites in the winter. Slice or section oranges, grapefruit, or any citrus on hand. Then add thinly sliced onions, drizzle with olive oil, and top with fresh cracked black pepper. You can also add nuts such as pistachios or walnuts, if desired.

Chicken and waffles are a favorite in our house. I certainly don’t spend hours frying my own chicken. A store-bought rotisserie chicken, or even frozen chicken tenders sub for fried chicken. Waffles can be made savory with the addition of herbs —or try a cornbread waffle for something different. Sliced fruit or applesauce pair nicely if you don’t want to make a salad.

A breakfast burrito is another savory twist on breakfast for dinner. This is also a great way to use up leftovers. As is a popular theme in my cooking, small amounts of leftover meats or grilled vegetables are well utilized in a burrito or quesadilla. Add in scrambled eggs and some canned black beans and you have a high-protein, inexpensive meal that’s on the table quickly.

Feel free to be creative and keep it simple! The winter is a busy time for many, so don’t be afraid to scramble up some eggs, pop a few Eggos in the toaster, and call your family for dinner.

Photos provided by author

Photo: John Zogaria Photography • Model: Amanda S

yC

withCrafyCat

The holidays are over ... so what do you do with those leftover candy canes? I like to use the large ones to stir my hot cocoa. Last year, a lot of the mini candy canes I bought had not been eaten. Instead of throwing them out, I used them to create these super cute suckers just in time for Valentine’s Day.

These sweet treats are easy to make and require minimal ingredients— just remember to ask an adult for permission before you start.

Make a sweet treat

Gather your materials

2 Mini candy canes for each

1 Paper stick for each

2 Tablespoons of white chocolate chips for each Assorted sprinkles (optional)

Parchment paper

Gather your tools

Cookie sheet

Microwave-safe bowl Oven mitt or pot holder

Spoon Steps

1. Spread parchment paper on a cookie sheet.

2. For each sucker, place two candy canes on parchment paper to form a heart. Leave a little space at the bottom for the sucker stick.

3. Place white chips in a microwave safe bowl. With adult supervision, microwave the chips for 15 to 30 seconds. Use the oven mitt to remove the bowl from the microwave and stir chips with a spoon. If chips are not completely melted, place back in microwave for another 15 seconds. Repeat until chips are completely melted and have a smooth consistency.

4. Dip sucker stick in melted chips and place between candy canes.

5. Use spoon to fill in the rest of the heart shape. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.

6. After about an hour, the chocolate should be set and your sweet treats will be ready to enjoy!

A social activist!

BY AUDREY MEAD WITH SARAH MEAD

Audrey is a curious eleven-year-old who wants to learn more about everything. She is searching for kids in the Rochester area who are doing big things.

Today she interviews fourteen-year-old Oscar MerullaBonn, who stands up for the rights of others wherever he can. He goes to Brighton High School and loves to draw.

He enjoys spending his free time with friends, playing video games, listening to music, and spending time outside. He loves burritos, pizza, sushi, and the color pink.

I heard that you are a social activist. Who do you stand up for? And how?

Social justice is quite important to me, and I do what I can to stand up for others. Often it’s in a school environment. I will stand up for people who are in need unless I know it is not my place. A few years back there was a substitute teacher who was acting outwardly racist to some of my classmates, so I, as well as a couple other students, left class and alerted the administration. When I was ten, I was on [local radio program] Connections with Evan Dawson talking about disability rights. Other than that, I just try to help out if I can with little stuff at school.

Have you been involved in any protests?

Yes, I have been involved in many protests including Black Lives Matter, climate change, March for Science, and a women’s march.

Why do you protest?

I protest because I know I can use my voice to help others and make a difference. And I believe that anyone

could and should stand up for others in need. Also being a part of two marginalized groups (I’m disabled and queer) gives me a different perspective because I know what it’s like to be discriminated against. So, if I can, I want to educate others about those things, and stand up for those who can’t.

You love to draw?

Yes! Art has been my passion since a very young age, and I’ve continued to follow that throughout my life.

Do you have a favorite movie?

Oooh, that’s tough. I can answer my favorite shows … (Rick and Morty and Adventure Time). I don’t think I can pick one movie, but some directors/studios I like are Wes Anderson, Henry Sellick, and Studio Ghibli.

What is the name of your diagnosis?

I have SMA or Spinal Muscular Atrophy, and I am in a wheelchair.

Have you always had a wheelchair?

I got my first wheelchair when I was one-and-a-half, and I got my first power wheelchair when I was three.

What do you wish people knew about you or your disability?

I wish able-bodied people knew that they should treat disabled people the exact same way as anyone else. Just because we’re not able bodied, does NOT mean we’re not people. Sure, it can be tough at times, but it is a part of my identity! It is not a terrible burden or something to pity me for. I am just like any other person; I’m just in a wheelchair!

Oscar Merulla-Bonn

Meet Stanley

The baby lynx at Seneca Park Zoo can’t wait for your

visit!

BY CHLOE ADOUR

This isn’t your typical house cat. This big-pawed fuzzy ball of fur is five-month-old Stanley, a baby lynx, who lives at the Seneca Park Zoo.

Stanley was born on June 2, 2022, which makes him five months old—and he is fourteen pounds! His mother Bianca and his father Gretzky continue to nurture Stanley as he explores the world around him.

Baby lynx mature quite quickly, and by three months old they typically do not look to their mom to take care of them. Stanley is very independent for being five months old. He loves climbing and jumping, but sometimes when he does get scared he will run to his mother for comfort. Since Stanley has grown up quickly, he was starting to eat solid foods at just five weeks old. Stanley loves eating chicken and ground meats, and on special days he gets ribs!

Stanley was named after Lord Stanley, who donated the Stanley Cup, an iconic trophy in hockey. His father is named after Wayne Gretzky who has won four Stanley Cups in his career. Stanley and his father have a very sweet relationship. They like to cuddle under trees and clean each other while mother Bianca sits and watches to keep them safe.

Stanley’s parents are very patient with him. He will jump on them and bite their ears and their tails, and they allow him to as long as he does not hurt them. If he does go too far they nip at him and tell him to stop. Sometimes they all

huddle together and sleep in a fuzzy circle—they are a very close family.

Lynx cats are very similar to house cats. They love hiding in boxes, they love chasing things, and they love finding new smells. The Seneca Park Zoo definitely spoils its animals and include heated floors in the enclosure. Even though Stanley and his parents are equipped with big paws and thick fur, they love the heated floors during the cold months.

If you have ever looked at a lynx you may notice that they have small bobtails. Lynx don’t have long tails because they primarily live in forests, and they don’t climb super high into trees. Most of the time cats use their tails for balancing and having short bobtails makes running and jumping easier for them.

When you visit the Seneca Park Zoo you may wonder why all the other great cats such as the tiger and snow leopard are alone but the lynx are together as a family. Well, in the wild, lynx cats would be alone for the majority of their lives. They would come together and have kittens, but once the kittens matured, they would live on their own. The lynx family at the Seneca Park Zoo have such a special bond that they are allowed to live together as a family. So, make sure to stop by and see this beautiful little treasure before Stanley grows up and moves out of the house.

Photo by author

PARENTS:

This article about Stanley and his family is a great way for kids to learn about lynx cats and what makes them unique. Use this article as a base for discussion with your children. Below are some questions and activities for your family.

Q: Why do lynx cats have short tails?

Activity: Find a list of wild cats online or in a book and see how—or if—they need tails to climb.

Q: How big do lynxes get?

Activity: Search online or at the library to find out how large these animals will weight as adults.

Q: Does a housecat act like a lynx? How so?

Activity: Monitor a house cat and list everything they do that is similar to a lynx.

Q: What do lynxes eat in the wild?

Activity: Find a list of different types of prey and list where they live.

The RMSC allows visitors to get hands-on at the Wonders of Water exhibit

BY DANIEL CURRY

At the Rochester Museum and Science Center, there is an exhibit that illustrates one of the most important and powerful parts of our environment: water.

Water shapes our environment, influences our weather, and is one of the most important parts of how we live. We depend on it for growing food, traveling, and powering our homes.

At RMSC, the Wonders of Water exhibit shows all the incredible ways that water affects our environment and how we depend on it. But there is one part of this exhibit that allows you to actually touch and see how interesting water is.

The “water table” is a fifteen-footlong interactive part of the exhibit that allows visitors to use their hands and learn about all the fascinating things there is to learn about water.

At the water table, water flows from one end to another, like a river. Within the table, there are all kinds of different toys and activities that let visitors get hands-on and explore the use of water across our region.

Calvin Uzelmeier from the RMSC

talked to (585) Kids about all the exciting things that visitors can do at the water table.

“The new water table is filled with all kinds of opportunities to play with water in ways that reflect aspects of how water is important to our community. On one side, the water flows like a river around landforms like rocks and hills that you can move around to change the water’s path,” Uzelmeier says. “At the end of the river is a hydroelectric plant. [Visitors can] change how much water flows through the plant to turn a turbine and generate electricity.”

Each and every part of the table features a fun way to learn about water and how it connects to our real world. At the table, visitors can see how water moves around different obstacles, which shows how lakes and rivers shape the landscape. You can also use tubes and hoses to make your own waterpark out of a model fire hydrant, which people in cities often do during hot summers. Also, you get to see how fishing can be fun and relaxing but also important for food.

“Each play experience built into the

water table reflects an important role water plays in our community,” says Uzelmeier.

You get to see how we use water to power our communities and how it influences our environment. It shows how water is crucial to us as a source of food and can also be used for travel. Most importantly, it shows how we need to protect and take care of our water sources. Water takes care of us, so by reducing pollution and spreading awareness we can take care of it too.

“Visitors can go fishing at one end of the table and try to catch some magnetic fish. At the other end is a giant storm-drain whirlpool. Everyone loves to place objects like toy fish, boats, or the Lego blocks in the whirlpool, but storm drain markers remind us ‘Keep clean. Drains to lake,’ so you can use some toy nets to scoop out objects.” says Uzelmeier.

At the water table, you’ll be able to see, touch, and learn all about the important and fascinating properties of water and how we rely on it.

BY TERRI ERCOLE

Having a little trouble focusing? Feel a little bit bored and looking for a fun activity? Try this cool art project.

ALL YOU NEED IS:

A flat stone

A writing utensil like a pencil, markers, or crayons

A piece of paper

A quiet space to work

Kids seasonal to-do list

OUTSIDE

❏ Snap some winter wildlife photos.

❏ Catch snowflakes on your tongue.

❏ Create a snow sculpture.

❏ Have a snowball fight.

❏ Fill a bird feeder and note which birds come to eat.

DIRECTIONS:

Place the pebble on the blank paper and push it using the writing utensil. Keep pushing never lifting the pen from the paper. Let yourself focus on the movement and the line you are creating as you breathe slowly. Remember to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth like blowing out a candle. Keep pushing and focusing on your breath and line. Don’t worry about what your line is creating, just move the pebble.

Stand back and look at the cool piece of art you’ve made!

INSIDE

❏ Listen to an audio book.

❏ Make candy-cane lollipops.

❏ Create a fort with couch cushions.

❏ Learn to play a new card game.

❏ Read a new book by your favorite author.

Pushing towards mindfulness

Helping kids find their focus

BY TERRI ERCOLE

Mindfulness is all about awareness, paying close attention, and being present. Sounds like a great plan, except there are distractions in our lives.

As adults we are often able to name and recognize those everyday things that get in the way of us being fully present. This makes tackling those distractions a bit more straight-forward. If you can name it, you can tackle it. But for children, it isn’t as easy. Completing any tasks can be difficult if other thoughts interrupt the process. This often leads to frustration or disappointment.

Recently I had the privilege of leading a fifth-grade peace circle. To begin, I asked each child to say what was present in their minds at that very moment. “Meatballs.” “I love cats!” “Where did I put my favorite pen?” “Did I brush my teeth?” On and on it went. As we finished going around the circle I asked if anyone remembered what we’d be studying first that morning. Very

few could answer. There are so many thoughts running through their minds. Yes, all of those ideas are important in the moment, but they are also hindering their ability to focus on the task at hand.

One way to help children refocus is to use mindfulness strategies. We have previously talked about using mindfulness through breathing exercises and yoga. Let’s try one more branch in the tree of mindfulness—art! (See the previous page for project directions)

Let’s revisit that same fifth grade class later that day. I could feel a bit of unrest and a lot of movement and chatter. The next task would require more focus and energy, so I took out a bag of pebbles and paper and began to create. Seconds later the students began to ask if they could try it. I explained simply that their only focus was to breathe mindfully and never let their pencil leave their paper. After a little giggling and some “What are we supposed

to be doing?” more students joined in, and the room became silent and focused. Sure, some students attempted to draw specific objects using the pebble, but they soon discovered the ease of “just creating.” You could physically feel the calm of the room! I asked the guiding question “How do you feel?” Students shared that they felt calm, relaxed, peaceful, and “silly.” I shared that this exercise is one way to use art to refocus. If children understand the purpose of an exercise, they are usually more willing to give it a try.

As students processed the experience, one shared that when trying to draw a specific picture, they became frustrated and began to breathe differently. When reminded to just push the pebble, their breathing became more even and relaxed. Reflection is everything.

And, parents, this exercise has no age limit! I recently shared this strategy with a very stressed friend. After a bit of “I’m not doing this” and “I’m not a child,” I put a pen in her hand and a pebble on the paper. Yes, it had the same effect. She even asked where to find the pebbles (Dollar Store—the ones you put into the bottom of a vase or fishtank). If you see this as the next icebreaker at a corporate retreat, remember you read it here first.

Give it a try with your children and let (585) Kids know about your experience. Remember, it’s about the process, not the product.

Photo by author

This exercise is one way to use art to refocus.

Listen up!

BY DEENA VIVIANI

Audiobooks are a great way to enjoy books—especially when they have talented readers. Engaging voice actors (like the ones who read the books below) can infuse humor, emotion, and character into already good stories. Visit your library’s website or stop by in person to see which audiobook formats* are available to you. Happy listening!

PICTURE BOOKS & EARLY READERS

Groovy Joe series

By Eric Litwin & illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld Ages 3-6 Format: Wonderbook Joe the dog moves and grooves his way through life with music.

Llama Llama series

By Anna Dewdney Ages 3-6 Format: Wonderbook In rhyming text, Llama learns to deal with some trials of young childhood.

Narwhal and Jelly series

By Ben Clanton Ages 4-8 Format: Wonderbook These best friends may be opposites, but they have wonderful adventures— and waffles—together.

Pinkalicious series

By Victoria Kann Ages 4-8 Format: Wonderbook, Book on CD, Playaway A pink-loving girl, her brother, and their friends have fun and solve problems together in Pinkville.

You Don’t Want a Unicorn!

By Ame Dyckman & illustrated by Liz Climo Ages 4-8 Format: Wonderbook Unicorns are not all the glitter and rainbows they appear to be.

MIDDLE GRADE

Humphrey series

By Betty G. Birney

Ages 8-12

Format: Wonderbook, Book on CD, Playaway Humphrey the classroom hamster tells the tales of his school adventures.

Max and the Midknights series

By Lincoln Peirce Ages 8-12 Format: Wonderbook, Book on CD Max attends knight school and must save her kingdom in these humorous,illustrated novels.

Across the Desert

By Dusti Bowling Ages 9-13 Format: OverDrive, Hoopla, Playaway Jolene sneaks off to rescue a downed teen pilot but may need some saving of her own.

Cuba in My Pocket

By Adrianna Cuevas Ages 9-13

Format: OverDrive, Hoopla Cumba is sent from Cuba to the US to escape Castro’s army, where he must live without his family until they can join him.

Ground Zero

By Alan Gratz

Ages 10-14 Format: OverDrive, Hoopla, Playaway Brandon must escape the Twin Towers when they fall on 9/11, not knowing whether or not his father survived.

The Last Cuentista

By Donna Barba Higuera Ages 10-14 Format: OverDrive, Hoopla, Playaway Petra and her family board a ship headed for a new planet when a comet is set to hit Earth, but when she is woken from stasis nothing is as promised.

YOUNG ADULT

If This Gets Out

By Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich Ages 14-18 Format: OverDrive, Hoopla, Playaway Ruben and Zach have feelings for each other that they must keep hidden, so it doesn’t ruin their boy band brand.

Playing With Fire

By April Henry Ages 12-18 Format: Hoopla During a hike, Natalia must help herself and others escape an Oregon wildfire after it is suspiciously started.

This Rebel Heart

By Katherine Locke

Ages 14-18 Format: OverDrive Csilla prepares to escape Hungary until she is tempted to join the revolution in this historical novel touched with magical realism.

You Should See Me in a Crown

By Leah Johnson Ages 12-18 Format: OverDrive, Hoopla, Book on CD Liz runs for prom queen in order to win a college scholarship despite her unlikely odds— and a crush on the competition.

*Format availability is subject to change

KINDNESS ROCKS!

A rock-solid hobby for Christina Smith

BY SARAH MEAD

On his way to school one morning, an eight-year-old boy spies a brightly colored object peeking out from under a leaf. He bends down to check it out and finds . . . a rock. Painted to resemble a puppy, this is no ordinary rock. He tucks it into his pocket as he smiles. Across town, an orthodontist is unlocking the office door when she catches something out of the corner of her eye. She picks up a rock painted like a tooth with the words “Follow Your Dreams” written in bold lettering. She holds it in her hand and chuckles. Locals are finding painted rocks everywhere in Victor: at the library, on hiking trails, even at the foot of their own mailboxes and porches. Someone here has started a movement, and her kindness has become contagious.

Christina Smith was working as a registered nurse on the Surgical Oncology floor at Strong Memorial Hospital when her husband, Dan, came home with a painted rock he found on a work trip in North Carolina. Smith says, “I thought it was the coolest idea and decided to start it up locally.” That’s when she started painting.

When she’s not taking care of patients or spending time with her family, Smith treats herself to a long run. An avid runner since the age of twelve, she was named first team All-American for cross country in high school and was part of the world record 100 x 1-mile running team, completing her first marathon shortly after graduating from college. Besides the obvious health benefits, she loves to run as a way to de-stress.

Combining her love of running with her newfound hobby was the obvious next step. She stashes many of her rocks on local trails, parks, and playgrounds. “I love hiding the rocks because it encourages people to get outside and be active,” she says.

She formed a public Facebook group called Victor, NY Rocks and paints the name of the group on the bottom of the rocks she hides around town. The rules of the group are simple: If you find a rock, post a picture. You can keep the rock, or you can hide it in a new spot and imagine who might find it. You can also paint your

own rocks and hide those, too. People of all ages love to check in online to post their finds before rehiding them. Sometimes they give clues on where to look! Painters love to check in and see who ended up finding their rock and how far they traveled. Neighbors share tips on what materials they use and where to find the best rocks for painting.

Many of her rocks have positive messages such as “Just Be You” and “You are Loved.” New members often post thoughts of gratitude like “I really needed this today” and “You made my day” along with “You gave me such a good laugh. Thank you!” The group has already grown to almost two-thousand members.

People have asked to purchase her beautiful creations and her response is always the same, “You can’t buy one—you’ll have to find one!”

You can find these treasures on the Auburn Trail, one of Christina’s favorite places to run and a popular spot for Victor residents to walk, bike, and jog. Around Thanksgiving, she left a giant rock on the trail that simply said “I’m thankful for…” After a few days, it had dozens of neighboring rocks painted with responses like “family,” “love, “school,” “friends,” and “music.” Smith says that her favorites to paint are those with the circular mandala patterns. “Sometimes I don’t have a set idea in my head: I just pick up the paintbrush and let my mind wander.” Her favorite rocks to find are those created by children because, “they have the best imaginations and make the cutest rocks!”

For those wondering how to get started, Smith recommends using Apple Barrel acrylic paints and a Modge Podge (nonwater based) sealant. Visitors to “Victor, NY Rocks” on Facebook can find many other tips and plenty of ideas.

More painting is definitely in Smith’s future. “You don’t need any special talent to make someone smile,” she says. But her special talent is teaching us all that a little bit of kindness goes a long way. And it really ROCKS!

Photo provided by Christine Smith

Christina Smith